AVOID DROWSY DRIVING AND ARRIVE ALIVE

Wed February 26, 2014

The week of March 2-9 is National Sleep Awareness Week and the DuPage County Health Department is reminding County residents about the dangers of drowsy driving and why the proper amount of sleep is required to avoid accidents.

It is important to understand that driving drowsy can be as dangerous as driving drunk. According to the National Sleep Foundation, Americans freely admit that they drive when they are sleepy, and with the upcoming time change on March 9, more Americans are apt to be sleep deprived due to one less hour of sleep that night.

The Health Department suggests that you stop driving if you exhibit these warning signs:

Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking and/or heavy eyelids

Difficulty keeping daydreams at bay

Trouble keeping your head up

Drifting from your lane, swerving or tailgating

Inability to clearly remember the last few miles driven

Missing exits or traffic signs

Yawning repeatedly

Feeling restless, irritable or aggressive

For more information on the DuPage County Health Department, follow us on Twitter @DuPageHD or become a fan on Facebook.